Night the Music Died: Strike Whamming Grammys

The Writers Guild of America has asked members of the Screen Actors Guild to refrain from crossing their picket line at the Feb. 10 Grammy Awards, the second major awards show likely to be hurt by the union's strike. Stars are expected to avoid the presentations if they proceed as planned. Grammy nominees Bruce Springsteen, the Beastie Boys, Joni Mitchell, John Mellencamp and Steve Earle have not yet crossed picket lines, reports Variety.

The Recording Academy has not asked for a waiver to permit writers to work for the show, but if officials do, “it is unlikely to be granted," said a guild spokesman. This is the 50th anniversary of the awards, and the Recording Academy had hoped to present historical retrospectives, which would require writers. The struck Golden Globes Awards ceremony was reduced Sunday to a press conference announcing winners. (More Writers Guild of America stories.)